Starting means for liquid fuel operated pressure vaporizer burners



March 5, 1963 F. SPERLICH STARTING MEANS FOR LIQUID FUEL OPERATED PRESSURE VAPORIZER BURNERS Filed June 22, 1961 Friedrich Sperlich Maw-J14! United States atent 3,079,983 Patented Mar. 5, 1963 lice 3,079,983 STARTING MEANS FER LIQUE FUEL OPERATED PRESSURE VAPQRIZER BURNERS Friedrich Sperlich, Krailling, near Munich, Germany, assignor to Webasto Werk G.rn.b.H., Munich, Germany Filed June 22, 1961, Ser. N0. 127,426 Claims priority, application Germany dune 30, 196i 8 Claims. ((11. 15853) The invention relates to starting means for nozzle type burners fed with liquid fuel of the kind having an annular pressure vaporizer which encloses a central channel and is surrounded by a spaced jacket with which the outer wall of the pressure vaporizer forms an annular channel.

Starting devices have heretofore generally been used for the above described type of burner, and one such device has consisted in a dish positioned below the pres sure vaporizer to accommodate a starting charge of fuel. When fuels of low volatility, for instance fuel oil, are used, this results in very long starting periods, so that in most cases it is necessary to use additional heating means, such as starting burners.

In order to improve upon these known starting means it has been proposed to use a wick, located at least partially between the nozzle and the pressure vaporizer, in a dish constructed to serve also as a wick carrier. This made it possible to shorten starting periods considerably, but a comparatively long period of time was still required to start the burner, particularly at low external temperature, and unrestricted use of the type of burner referred to was not possible.

The object of the invention is to provide a starting means whereby the pressure vaporizer can be heated to operating temperature in a period of time considerably reduced in comparison with the arrangements previously known.

According to the invention, a mask lement is located in front of the central channel of the pressure vaporizer during the starting period, and masks the inlet aperture thereof by at least 60%, preferably at least 80%, of its cross-sectional area.

A further shortening of the starting period is achieved 1 if a tubular flame guide body is provided in the central channel of the pressure vaporizer, so that an annular passage is formed between the outer wall of this guide and the inner surface of the vaporizer, and only the inlet aperture of the annular flame guide body is masked during the starting period. In this way, the flame gases of the fuel starting up the vaporizer may also reach the wall of the vaporizer surrounding the central channel without excessive reduction of the quantity of flame gases flowing through the annular channel between the jacket and the pressure vaporizer as a result of the mask element.

In a preferred form of construction of a burner according to the invention, the mask element is formed as a wick member, i.e. as a wick or wick holder. The wick member, together with a rod-shaped supporting element, may be used as a match or ignitor. It is advisable in this case that the wick material (which preferably consists of asbestos) should come into contact, during the starting period, with the edge of the inlet aperture of the central vaporizer channel or of the tubular flame guide body, because good sealing, which has a not inconsiderable influence on the starting period, is thereby always ensured without special centering means.

The use at the same time, of a known dish or heatingup shell arranged below the vaporizer, of such dimensions that a vertical projection of an imaginary connecting line between the nozzle and the pressure vaporizer falls within the dish, is advantageous, since the effect of the mask element is especially large in the case of combustion of fuels in the said dish during the starting period, and

moreover, in the case of additional use of a wick, the fuel dripping from the latter is caught by the dish.

One example of construction of a burner fitted with starting means according to the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings wherein FIG. 1 represents in side section a nozzle-type burner with a mask device constructed as a match, according to the invention;

FIG. 2 represents the match shown in FIG. 1, partially in section; and

FIG. 3 represents an alternative mask device, likewise constructed as a match, according to the invention.

Referring to the aforesaid drawings fuel is fed to an annular pressure vaporizer 1 shown in FIG. 1 by a feed pipe 2 which is connected by way of a control valve 3 to a pipe 4 leading from a fuel tank (not shown).

Provided in the central channel 5 of the pressure vaporizer 1 is a tubular flame guide body 6, the wall 7 of which forms, with the inner wall 8 of the pressure vaporizer 1, an annular channel 9 which is preferably of a width of not more than 3 mm. A further annular channel 12 is formed between the outer wall 10 of the pressure vaporizer 1 and the spaced jacket 11 surrounding it.

Masking of the inlet aperture of the tubular flame guide body 6 is effected by a mask element 13, which together with a wick 14 and a support element 15, forms a match (as also shown in partial section in FIG. 2). The support element 15 consists of a tube through which the wick 14 can be saturated with liquid fuel. 'It will be noted that the lower portion of the jacket 11, as a result of a terminating bridge 20 and an inclined portion 21, forms a type of heating-up shell or dish into which fuel may be contained before the starting of the burner. Typically, the heating-up shell or dish is provided with fuel which flows through the nozzle 18 before starting of the burner by operation of the valve 3. The fuel is subsequently ignited to elevate the temperature of the pressure vaporizer to the desired operating condition.

A preferred form of construction of the mask element is illustrated in FIG. 3, which shows a match wherein wick material 16 is held together by a ring 17, the side 'of the element which is to be pressed against the inlet aperture of the vaporizer, or, in the construction shown in FIG. 1, of the tubular flame guide body 6, also consisting of wick material, so that the said aperture is sealed even if the match is applied obliquely.

The mask element 13 may alternatively be mounted rockably, e.g. on the pressure vaporizer 1, the feed pipe 2, or the flame guide body 6.

When the pressure vaporizer 1 has reached its operating temperature, the mask device, if constructed as a wick, is removed so that the wick does not remain directly in line with the jet of vapor sprayed by the nozzle 18 supplied through the pressure pipe 19. In the operation of the device of the invention, the dish or heating-up shell is supplied with fuel through the nozzle 18. Also, fuel is supplied to the wick 14 through the hollow interior of the support element 15. The fuel is then ignited. During this starting period, the flame gases flow through the annular channel 12 between the jacket 11 and the outer wall 10 of the pressure vaporizer 1, as well as through the annular channel 9 between flame guide body 6 and the inner wall 8 of the pressure vaporizer 1. The annular channel 9 is important because during the starting period the flame gases flow therethrough with a high velocity and therefore with a high heat effect to the pressure vaporizer. Thus, the starting period of operation is decreased or minimized.

Further, it will be noted that there are air openings provided in the front plate of the burner as generally indicated by reference numeral 22 which provide for the necessary combustion air.

The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiment illustrated, but may be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. Starting means for nozzle-type burners fed with liquid fuel of the kind comprising a nozzle, conduit means for supplying fuel to said nozzle, an annular pres sure vaporizer communicating with said conduit means and defining a central channel, a jacket surrounding and spaced from said vaporizer, said jacket and vaporizer defining therebetween an annular channel, a device in front of said pressure vaporizer to accommodate a starting charge of fuel, a movable mask element adapted to be located in front of the central channel during the starting period and to mask the inlet aperture thereof by at least 60% of its cross-sectional area, and means for moving said mask into and out of a position in front of the control channel.

2. Starting means as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mask element is adapted to mask at least 80% of the area of the inlet aperture of the central vaporizer channel during the starting period.

3. Starting means for nozzle-type burners fed with liquid fuel of the kind comprising a nozzle, conduit means for supplying fuel to said nozzle, an annular pressure vaporizer communicating with said conduit means and defining a central channel, a tubular flame guide body having an inlet and an outlet aperture, said body disposed within the control channel, a jacket surrounding and spaced from said vaporizer defining therebetween an annular channel; a device in front of said pressure vaporizer to accommodate a starting charge of fuel; and a movable mask element provided for location in front of the inlet aperture of said tubular flame guide body during the starting period masking said inlet aperture.

4. Starting means for nozzle-type burners fed with liquid fuel of the kind comprising a nozzle, conduit means for supplying fuel to said nozzle, an annular pressure vaporizer in said conduit means which encloses a central channel, a tubular flame guide body having an inlet and an outlet aperture defining an annular channel therebetween; a spaced jacket surrounding said pressure vaporizer; .a device in front of said pressure vaporizer to accommodate a starting charge of fuel; and a Wick member adapted to be located in front of the inlet aperture of said tubular flame guide body during the starting period masking said inlet aperture and leaving free the channels formed by said tubular flame guide body, said vaporizer and said spaced jacket.

5. Starting means as claimed in claim 4 wherein said wick member is supported by a hollow rod-shaped element adapted to communicate with a source of fluid fuel.

6. Starting means as claimed in claim 4 wherein said Wick material is asbestos and is adapted to contact the edge of the inlet aperture of said tubular flame guide body.

7. Starting means for nozzle type burners fed with liquid fuel, of the kind comprising a nozzle, conduit means for supplying fuel to said nozzle, an annular pressure vaporizer in communication with said conduit means and defining a central channel; a spaced jacket disposed about said pressure vaporizer and defining an annular channel therebetween; a device in front of said pressure vaporizer to accommodate a starting charge of fuel; a dish arranged below the pressure vaporizer, said dish having such dimensions that a vertical projection of an imaginary connecting line between said nozzle and said pressure vaporizer falls within said dish; and a mask element adapted to be located in front of the central channel during the starting period and to mask the inlet aperture thereof by at least 60% of its cross-sectional area.

8. Starting means for nozzle-type burners fed with liquid fuel of the kind comprising a nozzle, conduit means for supplying fuel to said nozzle, an annular pressure vaporizer in communication with said conduit means defining a central channel; a tubular flame guide body, having an inlet and an outlet aperture, disposed said control channel and defines an annular channel between said guide body and said pressure vaporizer; a spaced jacket surrounding said pressure vaporizer and defining an annular channel therebetween; a device in front of said pressure vaporizer to accommodate a starting.

charge of fuel; a dish arranged below the pressure vaporizer, said dish having such dimensions that a vertical References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 431,728 Skacel July 15, 1935 

3. STARTING MEANS FOR NOZZLE-TYPE BURNERS FED WITH LIQUID FUEL OF THE KIND COMPRISING A NOZZLE, CONDUIT MEANS FOR SUPPLYING FUEL TO SAID NOZZLE, AN ANNULAR PRESSURE VAPORIZER COMMUNICATING WITH SAID CONDUIT MEANS AND DEFINING A CENTRAL CHANNEL, A TUBULAR FLAME GUIDE BODY HAVING AN INLET AND AN OUTLET APERTURE, SAID BODY DISPOSED WITHIN THE CONTROL CHANNEL, A JACKET SURROUNDING AND SPACED FROM SAID VAPORIZER DEFINING THEREBETWEEN AN ANNULAR CHANNEL; A DEVICE IN FRONT OF SAID PRESSURE VAPORIZER TO ACCOMMODATE A STARTING CHARGE OF FUEL; AND A MOVABLE MASK ELEMENT PROVIDED FOR LOCATION IN FRONT OF THE INLET APERTURE OF SAID TUBULAR FLAME GUIDE BODY DURING THE STARTING PERIOD MASKING SAID INLET APERTURE. 